Koteeswarar Temple
Kottayur

Presiding Deity:
Koteeswarar

The Koteeswarar Temple in Kottaiyur, Thanjavur district, is a venerated Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, which are Shiva temples praised in the verses of the Nayanar saints during the 7th century. 

Location and deities

The temple is situated in the village of Kottaiyur, near the town of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.

The presiding deity is Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Koteeswarar (also spelled Kodeeswarar). The name Koteeswarar is derived from "koti," meaning "one crore" or "ten million," referring to the legend that Shiva appeared in a multitude of forms.

His consort, Goddess Parvathi, is known as Pandhadu Nayaki, meaning the "Goddess playing with a ball". 

Brief legend

According to legend, Lord Shiva appeared to the sage Pathira Yogi as one crore manifestations of Vinayagar, Parvathi, and Murugan, hence earning the name Koteeswarar. Another story tells of Suruchi, a cursed prince disfigured to look like a devil. After he bathed in the temple's sacred spring, his handsomeness was restored, a ritual still believed to enhance one's appearance. The goddess Pandhadu Nayaki's name comes from her legend of tossing her devotees' sins away like a ball. 

Significance and worship

Multiplier effect: A prominent belief associated with the temple is that any deed—good or bad—performed within its premises is magnified a crore times. This has historically deterred evildoers and encourages believers to perform good deeds.

Purification of karma: Goddess Pandhadu Nayaki is believed to reassure sinners by "tossing" their negative karma away like a ball, guiding them toward a righteous path.

Blessings of beauty and success: People, especially women, perform a ritual bath in the holy spring known as Amudhakinaru, seeking to improve their appearance and gain virtuous traits. Athletes and sportspersons pray to Goddess Pandhadu Nayaki for victory in their games.

Educational progress: The holy water from the Amudhakinaru is also believed to purify the mind and bless devotees with success in education.

Saranam.com only facilitates rituals at temples for those who are unable to physically be present at the temple for various reasons.

1.We are not an agent/representative/official website of any temple and perform these services through our own network of representatives.
2.We are not a temple. We are not a religious movement. We get no money from particular religious institutions or leaders. We are not pushing a particular spiritual agenda.
3.All pujas or other rituals offered through our website do not involve any kind of animal sacrifice.
4.The charges for services include charges collected at the temple, cost of purchasing offerings, conveyance and various other charges towards fulfillment of the order and are subject to change from time to time without notice.

 IMPORTANT NOTICE 

The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), Government of Tamilnadu, has raised certain objections regarding private entities offering spiritual services at temples under the control of the HR&CE. Hence we have temporarily suspended services at this temple through our website till the issue is resolved. Kindly accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused. 

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